Honoring the Memory of Hero of Ukraine Ivan-Yaroslav Protsailo at Zhvirkivska School
On March 14, on the Day of the Ukrainian Volunteer, a memorial plaque was unveiled on the building of Zhvirkivska Secondary School to honor its alumnus, Hero of Ukraine Ivan-Yaroslav PROTSAILO.
The right to unveil the memorial plaque was given to the mother of the Hero-Defender – Vira Mykhailivna. Her son gave the most precious thing – his life, defending Ukraine.
The Life Journey of Ivan-Yaroslav Protsailo
Ivan-Yaroslav Protsailo was born in 1985 and lived in the village of Zhvirka. He graduated from school and Sokal Vocational School. He worked as a laborer, had “golden hands” because whatever he took on, he did it properly, quickly, and efficiently. He was a carpenter, electrician, and master of equipment repair.
With the onset of the full-scale invasion, in 2022, he was drafted into the Armed Forces. He served as a rifleman-assistant grenadier of the mechanized battalion of military unit A4447.
The Hero went missing on June 9, 2023, during an artillery shelling of positions near the village of Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia region. On April 15, 2024, the body of the defender was identified. On May 1, 2024, the Hero returned to his native village on a shield and was buried in the Alley of Glory at the Zhvirka cemetery.
Ceremony of Unveiling the Memorial Plaque
The memorial plaque was blessed by Father Petro Zvir, the priest of the Church of the Holy Spirit UGCC, and Father Serhiy Kovalchuk, the priest of the Church of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos PCU.
Those present honored the memory of the deceased compatriot and all those who fell for Ukraine with a minute of silence and laid flowers at the memorial plaques of Ivan-Yaroslav PROTSAILO and Oleh HALATIUK (consecrated and unveiled earlier), and lit candles.
Many heartfelt and sorrowful words were said at the unveiling of the memorial plaque dedicated to Ivan-Yaroslav Protsailo by school principal Iryna Mazuryk, Father Serhiy, the Hero’s mother – Vira Mykhailivna, Sokal city mayor Serhiy Kasian, and Ivan-Yaroslav’s brother-in-arms – Serhiy.
Students recited patriotic poems, and Evelina Karpuk performed the song “Mom Don’t Cry”
The commemorative signs on the school will remind all generations of the heroism of our defenders in the struggle for the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine.
Eternal memory and honor to the Hero! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!